Molecular cartography of root nodule organogenesis: insights into the role of transcription factors.

Authors

Parinita Majumdar, Maitrayee DasGupta

Published in

Plant molecular biology. Volume 116. Issue 5. Aug 27, 2026. Epub Aug 27, 2026.

Abstract

Nodule organogenesis is a complex developmental process which is induced post-embryonically following rhizobia infection and relies on coordinated action of a suite of transcription factors at multiple stages starting from its initiation, de novo meristem establishment and differentiation. The rewiring of nitrate-responsive NIN-LIKE PROTEIN (NLP) homolog, NODULE INCEPTION (NIN) transcription factor through genetic adaptations in the common ancestor of the nitrogen-fixing clade is crucial to the origin of nodulation trait. Moreover, nodule formation emerged through the co-option of evolutionary ancient root/lateral root developmental pathways mediated by conserved transcriptional regulators such as NF-Y, LBD16, SHR/SCR, WOX5, PLT and KNOX. Importantly, NIN has acquired functions to integrate signals from rhizobia infection and divert the existing developmental pathways towards nodule organogenesis, thereby acts as a master regulator of root nodule symbiosis. Nodule specific innovations in the existing developmental pathway genes through mechanisms like genetic adaptations in their cis-regulatory region, paralog retention, changes in spatio-temporal gene expression pattern and functional changes to the protein are crucial for imparting developmental novelty during nodule organogenesis. Here, we provide a consolidated idea on transcription factor-mediated genetic modules regulating distinct stages of nodule organogenesis with an emphasis on their nodule specific innovations. This knowledge gain is particularly important to engineer nitrogen-fixing nodules into non-nodulation crop plants which will eventually minimize the reliance on synthetic nitrogen fertilizers and thereby favors a sustainable agricultural system.

PMID:
42658362
Bibliographic data and abstract were imported from PubMed on 28 Aug 2026.

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